One day a thirsty ant stopped to have a drink from the river. Just then he lost his balance and fell into the water and was washed away. A dove happened to be sitting in a tree nearby and saw what happened. He quickly plucked a leaf off the tree and threw it down into the water next to the ant. The ant was able to climb onto the leaf and was saved from drowning.

A while later a hunter came by with his trap. He started setting up his trap to catch doves. The ant knew what he was up to. “How can I let this hunter catch the dove that saved my life?” he thought. “I must do something! But how can a little ant like me save my friend from a great big man?” Then he had an idea. He hurried across the path, climbed the man’s leg and then gave him a very sharp bite. “Owwww!”, yelled the hunter and dropped his trap. The dove flew off. “Thank you, dear ant, for saving my life,” he called. “I’ll never forget your kindness!”